ABSTRACT
The foramen thyroideum is described as an occasional opening existing in one or both laminae of the thyroid cartilage which may or may not contain a neurovascular component. Foramen thryoideum was first described in the literature by Segond in 1847. Some authors consider its existence a structural variation rather than an anomaly, with classical texts of anatomy providing little detail when describing this foramen. This study was undertaken to investigate the incidence and characteristics of the foramen thyroideum in the South African population. A total of 80 formalin fixed cadaveric laryngeal specimens (obtained from the Department of Clinical Anatomy, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa) were dissected. Larynges were dissected with the aid of a Stemi DV 4 light microscope. The incidence, location, dimensions and contents of the foramen thyroideum were recorded. The horizontal and vertical extent of each foramen was measured with a digital caliper. Six of the 80 (7.5 percent) specimens examined had distinctly identifiable foramina. Five of the six cases (4 male, 1 female) displayed bilateral foramina (6.3 percent), with one case (1 female) of a unilateral foramen (1.3 percent). Of the larynges that had bilateral foramina, a single case presented with two foramina on the same (right) thyroid lamina. A total of twelve foramina were observed. Gender distribution of foramen thyroideum was: male: right 5, left 4; female: right 2, left 1. Preceding investigators of the foramen thyroideum have rightly indicated that awareness of its presence is of paramount importance in order to preserve the structures that traverse it and also to comprehensively treat or contain laryngeal cancer.
El foramen tiroideo se describe como una apertura ocasional existente en una o ambas láminas del cartílago tiroides, la cual puede o no contener un componente neurovascular. El foramen tiroideo fue descrito por primera vez en la literatura por Segond en 1847. Algunos autores consideran su existencia como una variación estructural y no una anomalía, los textos clásicos de anatomía proporcionan pocos detalles al describir este foramen. Este estudio se realizó para investigar la incidencia y características del foramen tiroideo en la población Sudafricana. Fueron disecados 80 especímenes cadavéricos de larínge fijados con formalina (obtenidos del Departamento de Anatomía Clínica de la Universidad de KwaZulu-Natal, Sudáfrica). Las laringes fueron disecadas con la ayuda de un microscopio de luz Stemi DV 4. La incidencia, localización, dimensiones y contenido del foramen tiroideo fueron registradas. La extensión horizontal y vertical de cada foramen se midieron con un caliper digital. Seis de los 80 (7,5 por ciento) especímenes examinados tenían foramen tiroideos claramente identificables. Cinco de los seis casos (cuatro hombres y una mujer) mostraron forámenes bilaterales (6,3 por ciento), y un caso (una mujer) foramen unilateral (1,3 por ciento). De las laringes que presentaron forámenes bilaterales, un solo caso presentó dos forámenes en la misma lámina del cartílago tiroides (derecha). La distribución por sexo del foramen tiroídeo en hombres fue 5 derechos y 4 izquierdos, mientras que en mujeres 2 derechos y 1 izquierdo. Los resultados indican que el conocimiento de la presencia del foramen tiroideo es de vital importancia para preservar las estructuras que lo atraviesan y también para el tratamiento de integral o contención del cáncer de laringe.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Thyroid Cartilage/anatomy & histology , Thyroid Cartilage/abnormalities , Cadaver , Laryngeal Cartilages/anatomy & histology , Laryngeal Cartilages/abnormalities , Incidence , South AfricaABSTRACT
The term of malacia refers to softness and in medical terminolog refers to weakness of bone or cartilage. Laryngomalacia is the most common congenital abnormality of larynx and the patient may suffer from recurrent aspiration. Tracheomalacia refers to tracheal weakness and usually results in airway collapse due to cartilage defect. Bronchomalacia is used to describe the weakness and collapsibility of one or both main bronchus. All of the above mentioned diseases can be diagnosed by bronchoscopy but this method is invasive and may interfere with diagnosis, on the other hand it is intolerable in young individual and severly ill, and patients with coagulopathy. This study was conducted to show the role of virtual bronchoscopy in diagnosis of laryngo-tracheo-bronchomalacia. In a peri- experimental study during 3 years [Nov 2003-Oct 2006] 35 patients who had clinical sign and symptom of airway malacia were studied via virtual bronchoscopy. From 35 patients percentage of male and female was 65/7% and 34/3%, respectively and the mean age was 3/7 +/- 1/6 months. The result of virtual bronchoscopy for laryngomalcia, bronchomalacia, tracheomalacia, laryngotracheomalacia and laryngobronchomalacia was 42.8%, 25.7%, 20%, 8.5% and 2.9%, respectively. Virtual bronchoscopy because of non-invasive and speed imaging and excellent ability of assessment of airway stenosis, can be considered as substitution for bronchoscopy
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Laryngeal Cartilages/abnormalities , Bronchoscopy , Trachea/abnormalities , Bronchi/abnormalitiesABSTRACT
Em revisäo de 356 endoscopias respiratórias rígidas realizadas em crianças do Hospital da Criança Santo Antonio, no período de março de 1989 a março de 1992, foram observadas 92 crianças com laringomalacia. Esta representou 60 por cento dos diagnósticos observados nas regiöes glótica e subglótica. As manifestaçöes clínicas que estiveram associadas significativamente com o diagnóstico de laringomalacia foram estridor , engasgo alimentar e cianose a esforços . Em somente 11 por cento dos pacientes foi necessária intervençäo cirúrgica (laringoplastia endoscópica). Em 30 por cento destes pacientes operados näo houve melhora, tendo sido necessária realizaçäo de traqueostomia